Overview: 2 vs 2 Counter Strike map

Design Goals:

• Balanced and fair gameplay.
• Interesting and strategic decision making.
• Visual appeal.

How they were achieved:

• I ensured that player meeting points don’t give either side a strong advantage. Each side has a certain amount of space on the map that they begin with control of, and making sure that each side has the right amount is crucial.
• I added the potential for strategic gameplay by giving players different lanes and positions to play.
• I made every part of the map recognizable so players don’t get lost, but still made sure the overall visuals are cohesive.

Takeaways

• One of my first large scale projects, which helped me learn the importance of a good pipeline.
• Designing spaces with multiple ways to play – make a playground instead of areas with predetermined outcomes. Interesting gameplay comes from interactions between players, the level exists to facilitate that.
• Introducing some narrative context helps tie everything together, making the overall level feel more cohesive.

Team size: Solo

Role: Level Designer

Project length: 8 months

Tools: Hammer for CS:GO